Chapter 146: The Grading System (Part IV)
Chapter 146: The Grading System (Part IV)
When Mo Hua met Master Zhuang again, her little face wore a hint of resentment.
"Master, didn't you say there would be a threshold?"
Master Zhuang smiled and casually replied, "There is a threshold, but you might have crossed it unintentionally."
"Does that mean I'm a First Rank Array Master now?" Mo Hua asked.
"It's not that simple," Master Zhuang said as he adjusted his posture on the bamboo chair to get more comfortable. He then explained to Mo Hua, "Being able to draw nine array patterns only means that you've crossed the threshold to the First Rank. You still have a lot to learn and practice. You need to study more First Rank arrays and completely master the technique of manifesting nine array patterns in a single thought before you can be considered to have the strength of a First Rank Array Master."
Mo Hua sensed that Master Zhuang was hinting at something deeper. "So, I have the strength of a First Rank Array Master but not the title?"
Master Zhuang nodded. "The title is bestowed by the Dao Court."
"The Dao Court? I thought it was the Dao Court Office," Mo Hua said, confused.
"The Dao Court Office is under the jurisdiction of the Dao Court. The office itself doesn't have any array masters, so how can they have the authority to bestow ranks upon array masters?" Master Zhuang explained with a profound look in his eyes. "The Dao Court is located in the Dao Province, which is at the center of the Nine Provinces. It has seven pavilions named after the seven stars of the Big Dipper. The Tianxu Pavilion is responsible for determining the ranks of all array masters of First Rank and above throughout the Nine Provinces. Every few years, the Tianxu Pavilion sends cultivators to the various provinces to bestow ranks upon array masters."
"The Tianxu Pavilion..." Mo Hua murmured, feeling a sense of awe.
The Dao Court was an elusive and lofty entity, and this was the first time he had heard of the Tianxu Pavilion.
Mo Hua couldn't help but ask, "Is it difficult to get a rank determined?"
Master Zhuang nodded. "Yes, it's difficult in two aspects: the assessment and the quota."
Mo Hua didn't quite understand.
Master Zhuang explained, "The assessment is based on your array mastery, but the quota depends on connections."
Frowning, Mo Hua asked, "So, the ranking of array masters is not solely based on their array skills but also on their connections?"
Master Zhuang gave a disdainful smile. "The ranking is indeed based on one's array mastery, but those who determine your rank are people. As long as people are involved, connections will always play a role."
"Then what kind of connections do we need?" Mo Hua asked.
"Either your family background is prominent, your parents are extraordinary, or you have a lot of spirit stones to grease the wheels. With any of these, your connections will naturally widen," Master Zhuang replied.
Mo Hua was stunned. Did that mean that a solitary cultivator like him, with no power or influence and not many spirit stones, would not be able to get a rank?
Hesitantly, Mo Hua asked, "Then, will there be quotas for solitary cultivators?"
"It's unlikely that there won't be any, but there will only be a handful. Whether or not you get chosen depends on your luck," Master Zhuang said.
Although he said it depended on luck, it was essentially about fate.
Mo Hua furrowed his brows. "In that case, aren't all array masters from noble families and sects? There would be a disconnect between array masters and cultivators from the lower strata..."
Master Zhuang's gaze turned profound as he looked at Mo Hua and said, "Exactly."
Mo Hua was taken aback, a faint chill creeping into his heart.
Master Zhuang gently rubbed Mo Hua's head. "These are all external matters. Don't worry too much about them."
But how could Mo Hua not worry? After a moment's pause, he still couldn't help but ask, "Master, what if I'm unlucky and never get my rank determined?"
Slowly sitting up straight, Master Zhuang's gaze sharpened, and a hint of dominance emerged from his otherwise indifferent demeanor.
"Array masters seek the Dao of Heaven and strive to comprehend the myriad truths. They are not bound by worldly matters nor subject to the judgment of any cultivator."
"The Dao Court can bestow ranks, but they rank their authority and power."
"What array masters truly seek is not a rank of power but a rank of the Dao of Heaven and Earth!"
Mo Hua's heart trembled, and his divine sense suddenly cleared, making him feel enlightened.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master," Mo Hua said respectfully as he stood up and bowed deeply to Master Zhuang.
"What if I can't get my rank determined?" Mo Hua asked weakly.
Master Zhuang glanced at him indifferently, "There's no rush."
"No rush to get a rank determination?"
"Even if you don't get it, there's no need to hurry," Master Zhuang replied nonchalantly.
"Uh..." Mo Hua was a bit taken aback.
"How old are you, anyway? If you go for the rank determination now, those taking the assessment with you will either be middle-aged cultivators or old men with white hair. They're the ones in a hurry, not you," Master Zhuang explained.
Mo Hua nodded in agreement. Indeed, when he thought about it that way, he felt much more relaxed.
"But what if I never get my rank determined?" Mo Hua persisted.
Master Zhuang couldn't help but ruffle Mo Hua's hair again, "If that happens, you can just go straight for the second-rank determination."
Mo Hua was stunned, "Second rank?"
"The first rank might be difficult to attain, but the second rank is different. The Tianxu Pavilion isn't entirely foolish. They might turn a blind eye to those stuck at the first rank, but the second rank is a different story. If your array mastery reaches the second rank, even without a prominent background, you are no ordinary cultivator, and the Tianxu Pavilion won't dare to offend you easily," Master Zhuang explained with a hint of a smile.
"If you truly possess the skills of a second-rank array master, and the Tianxu Pavilion still refuses to grant you a rank, you can stand at their door and scold them for their incompetence," Master Zhuang said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"What cultivation level are the elders of the Tianxu Pavilion?" Mo Hua asked softly.
"It's hard to say, but they should at least be at the Cave Void realm..." Master Zhuang replied.
Mo Hua's eyes widened in surprise. He had never even heard of the Cave Void realm before.
Mo Hua stole a glance at Master Zhuang and asked quietly, "Master, have you ever scolded those elders before?"
After all, Master Zhuang was suggesting that he stand at the Tianxu Pavilion's door and insult their elders. Surely, he must have done something like that in the past?
"I never scold people," Master Zhuang said with a straight face.
Mo Hua eyed him skeptically, taking in his elegant and free-spirited appearance, even when lying down.
Mo Hua thought to himself: Master Zhuang certainly didn't look like the type to scold people, but who knew what he was really like?
As if reading his thoughts, Master Zhuang gave Mo Hua's head a light tap.
"Are you imagining me scolding them in your head?" Master Zhuang asked with a hint of amusement.
Mo Hua chuckled and then asked, "But Master, when will I ever become a second-rank array master? That feels like a lifetime away."
"Becoming a first-rank array master is indeed challenging, and there's only one rank to attain. However, the second rank is different. It's divided into three tiers: lower, middle, and upper. Each tier represents a significant improvement in array mastery," Master Zhuang explained, turning to look at Mo Hua. "With your abilities, as long as you reach the Foundation Establishment stage and put in some effort, becoming a lower second-rank array master shouldn't be too difficult."
Mo Hua's spirits lifted at Master Zhuang's words, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
However, he still had a lingering doubt, "Why is the second rank divided into three tiers, but not the first rank?"
According to Master Zhuang's explanation, the first rank could also be considered to have three tiers. There were those who hadn't attained any rank, those who were apprentice array masters, and those who were first-rank array masters.
The current first-rank array masters could be considered upper first-rank.
"What do you think?" Master Zhuang asked.
Mo Hua furrowed his brows in thought, "Is it because of the threshold?"
Master Zhuang nodded, "By raising the threshold, the cultivators below won't be able to catch up."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
